US8517211B2

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US8517211B2
Application number: US11/871,995
Authority: US
Inventors: Chris Brown; Chad Gibbon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-25
Filing date: 2007-10-13
Publication date: 2013-08-27
Also published as: CA2620799A1; US20080029522A1

Abstract

A ventilation apparatus for a cooler combination. The ventilation apparatus has a first cooler engageable portion and a second cooler engageable portion. Each portion is configured to interoperate with either a first cooler location or a second cooler location. A body section connects the first and second cooler engageable portions together. The cooler has four perimeter walls and a lid. The ventilation apparatus is positioned at the first cooler location and second cooler locations which are located on the lid and the perimeter walls. The apparatus maintains a ventilation space between the lid and the cooler perimeter walls promoting ventilation of the interior space of the cooler.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/936,928, filed Jun. 25, 2007.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice chest;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ice chest with a first embodiment of the ventilation apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of a first embodiment of the ventilation apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective detail view of the second embodiment of the ventilation apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ice chest in combination with a third embodiment of the ventilation apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a perspective detail view of a third embodiment of the ventilation apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional detail view of a fourth embodiment of the ventilation apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional detail view of a fifth embodiment of the ventilation apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional detail view of a sixth embodiment of the ventilation apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional detail view of a seventh embodiment of the ventilation apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram of a method of insulating a cooler;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart diagram of a method for arranging the ventilation apparatus between the top lid and the perimeter wall;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart diagram of the method for actuating the ventilation apparatus to an engaging position;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart diagram of an alternative embodiment for a method of actuating the ventilation apparatus to an engaging position;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart diagram of an alternative embodiment of the method of actuating a ventilation apparatus to an engaging position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Generally speaking, referring toFIG. 1, astandard cooler10 is shown, the cooler being used to maintain warm and cold temperatures of food items when individuals are fishing, camping, or traveling. The individuals usually do not have the use of an electric refrigerator or heater to maintain the proper food temperature for food items. Thesecoolers10 are usually insulated having a wall with an inner cavity which may be maintained at a vacuum state so as not to allow heat gain or loss from the inner portion to the outer portion of the chest.

Thecoolers10 usually have atop lid12, a plurality of sidewalls including afront perimeter wall14, equal but opposite parallel side perimeter walls16A &16B, aback perimeter wall22, abottom wall18 connected to thebottom edge26 of the perimeter walls, and atop lid12 which is interoperable with thetop edge24 of the perimeter walls to provide access to the cooler when open and to create a seal between the top lid and the side perimeter walls when the lid is closed.

The cooler10 will be filled with ice to maintain a cold temperature. Over a period of time, the temperature in the cooler will increase, melting the ice. Water vapor remains in the cooler even after the ice has been drained from the cooler. After the cooler has been stored, the water vapor and/or water film within the cooler10 will most times still remain. If that is the case, bacteria will begin to build within thecooler10 and produce odors requiring maintenance requiring theice chest10 to be discarded.

Referring toFIG. 2, in order to promote evaporation, a cooler combination utilizing aventilation apparatus38 is provided. Theventilation apparatus38 maintains a gap between the top lid and the top wall of thecooler10. This open position of the cooler lid enables the evaporation to take place when thecooler10 is not being used. Airflow between the interior region of the cooler and the exterior region or outer area of the cooler is promoted because of the opening. The airflow may be a natural current, or may be promoted by mechanical means such as a small fan. The ventilation apparatus takes many forms, some of which are shown below in this particular application.

A discussion of various alternative embodiments of the ventilation apparatus will be provided. It will be readily conceived that alternative additional embodiments to maintain the ventilation between the interior space and the exterior space of the cooler are envisioned.

Still referring toFIG. 2, in a first embodiment, the cooler combination utilizing theventilation apparatus38 is located at a second and a third pair of cooler locations, these locations may be on or near thetop edge24 of thefront perimeter wall14, or they may be located on thetop lid12. Also, in this embodiment, theventilation apparatus38 supports the top lid at a first cooler location. This first location in alternative embodiments may be on the one of the lid edges, the top, the side, or the bottom of the lid. Also, if the second and third cooler locations are on the lid, then the first cooler location may be located somewhere on the perimeter wall.

Theventilation apparatus38 can also be mounted on the sidewalls16A or16B depending on the user's desire to maintain a larger orsmaller ventilation space36 to promote a larger or smaller volume of air flow. For example, if theventilation apparatus38 is positioned towards the hinge edge20 (as seen inFIG. 1), the angle of inclination between thetop lid12 and thetop edge24 of the perimeter walls will increase, thus increasing the cross sectional area through which the air can flow.

Still referring toFIG. 2, theventilation apparatus38 is connected or tethered to thecooler10 by the use of aconnection cord39. When not in use, theventilation apparatus38 may be maintained on the cooler near theside handle34 or other pre-determined location, such as aninset pocket60 located on the top lid or one of the perimeter side walls.

Referring toFIGS. 3 & 4 in the first embodiment, a more detailed discussion of theventilation apparatus38 will now be provided. Theventilation apparatus38 is defined by cooler engageable portions. For example, referring toFIG. 3, theventilation apparatus38 in this particular embodiment has a first cooler engageable portion which is alid support seat72, here arranged in a semi-cylindrical configuration. At the mid-point of the arc of thelid support seat72, a first body section which in this embodiment is configured as arectilinear support wall74 is arranged to connect thelid support seat72 to the clip arms discussed below. The clip arms act as the second and third cooler engageable portions of this first embodiment of the ventilation apparatus.

Thisparticular ventilation apparatus38 is configured to impinge on the inner and outer walls of theperimeter cooler walls14 to16B at the second and third cooler locations, and also extend over in some instances (as seen inFIG. 7) thelid wall seat106, so that the ventilation apparatus can fit onto multiple widths of various cooler wall designs.

This somewhat horseshoe-configured wallmounting ventilation apparatus70 has extending from the bottom edge of theneck wall74, a first arcuate clip arm78A and a second arcuate clip arm78B. These clip arms have avertical height86 between the bottom edge of therectilinear support wall74 and the top edge of the grip foot80A and80B, to extend onto theperimeter width79 enabling the arms to extend out beyond the inner and outer edges of the various perimeter walls having a range of cross-sectional sizes.

Still referring toFIG. 3, theperimeter wall width42 is usually going to be a greater distance than theclip gap82 between the grip foots80A and80B located at the bottom edge of the arcuately aligned clip arms78A and78B. The grip feet transition from the vertical to the horizontal through a curvilinear corner.

Briefly discussing the materials of theventilation apparatus38, the apparatus can be constructed of various materials including a polymer/plastic, metallic material, ceramic material, wood, or composite material. The apparatus may be constructed of an inner core with an outer layer, the inner core made of one of the above materials, with an outer layer being constructed of a clear polyvinyl chloride, a clear silicone, thermal plastic elastomer, or a butyl rubber construction. The first embodiment, with the first grip foot80A and second grip foot80B, can have the construction of the grip feet made of a gripping material such as the above-mentioned outer materials, including a clear polyvinyl chloride, rubber, or silicone.

In use, the first and second lower grip feet80A and80B, are stretched aclip gap distance82 outwards which must be greater than theperimeter wall width42 of thesubject cooler10. Theventilation apparatus38 is placed over thetop edge24 of the perimeter wall as seen inFIG. 2.

The wall mounting ventilation apparatus with thehorseshoe configuration70, will maintain its position on the wall by exerting apinching force90 against the inner and outer wall faces of the cooler wall. This pinching force is the lateral component of a spring constant (K) of the first arcuate clip arm78A and the second arcuate arm78B each elastically pressuring to return to their original resting position. The elasticity ranges of each of the above materials will vary depending on the type of material used. These elasticity ranges for the materials are well known within the art and are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring toFIG. 4, a second embodiment of the wallmounting ventilation apparatus70 is shown where thevertical height86 of the clip arms78A and78B is significantly smaller, with an increased vertical height length of theneck wall74. Also, thelid support seat84 is arranged in a flat wall configuration.

In an alternative embodiment of the second embodiment, at theorigin location76 of the arcuately aligned clip arms78A and78B, in lieu of utilizing the elasticity component of the member arms, a spring-loaded hinge77 is aligned along the base portion of the support wall, which enables the user to stretch theclip gap82 between the grip feet80A and80B and enabling theventilation apparatus38 to be mounted over thetop edge24 of the cooler10 (FIG. 2).

Referring toFIG. 5, a third embodiment of the cooler combination is provided. In this particular embodiment, theventilation apparatus38 is arranged on the inside face of thefront perimeter wall14.Ventilation airflow11 is allowed to enter into and exit theventilation space36 of thecooler ventilation combination30. The cooler in some embodiments has one or two side handles34 which are arranged on both the first and second side walls16A and16B.

Referring toFIG. 6, a detailed discussion of the third alternative embodiment of theventilation apparatus38 will be provided. Here a first body section acting as a hingedprop arm40 is located either on the inside face of the cooler perimeter walls or seated within a longitudinally aligned inset seat46. The arm has a first cooler engageable portion (interacting with the lid in this embodiment), and a second cooler engageable portion (interacting with the perimeter wall in this embodiment). The first and second portions could be switched to provide for opposite intereactions with the lid and perimeter walls.

For discussion purposes as related to the arrangement of the cooler, alongitudinal axis54 runs substantially parallel with thefront perimeter wall14, atransverse axis52 runs substantially parallel with the side walls16A and16B, and avertical axis50 runs perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes. In this particular embodiment, a second cooler location has ahinge58 which is arranged along thetransverse axis52, enabling the hingedprop arm40 to actuate from the open to close position, or in other words, from a non-engaged position to a propped ventilation space opening position.

The hingedprop arm40 actuates radially about the transverse axis of thehinge58. In its seated position, thearm40 is seated within the longitudinally aligned seat46 which is inset within theperimeter wall width42 and inset seat distance44. This inset seat distance44 is substantially the same as the transverse width of the hingedprop arm40, providing a built-in smooth finish profile of the hingedarm40 within thewall width42. With thearm40 in its open position, the arm maintains support of thetop lid12 at a first cooler location. Thus enabling theventilation space36 to allow theventilation airflow11, providing evaporation of the moisture content within the interior space of the cooler. Optionally, thehinge50 may have a spring-loaded component with the loading set for maintaining a current open a close position of the hinge to prop arm.

A fourth alternative embodiment, as seen inFIG. 7, is provided. Here theventilation apparatus38 has a first body section which is alatch arm102 arranged on the outside face of theperimeter wall108. The first cooler engageable portion is the free end of the latch arm which sits within thelid12 has alid seat104 acting as the first cooler location. Thelatch arm102 has a second cooler engageable end or portion which is connected at the second cooler location. The second cooler location being aside wall hinge100 arranged at the outer corner edge of theperimeter wall108. Thelatch arm102 actuates radially about the central axis of theside wall hinge100 from a supported position to a non-supported or closed position.

The closed position as seen in hatched lines has the latch arm held in place by a latchbottom stay114. Thelatch arm102 and thehinge100 are maintained in position by anarm connection plate110. Thearm connection plate110 may be integrated into the outer face of theperimeter wall108 or connected to the outer face of the perimeter wall by upper and lower screw attachments112A and112B.

When used, thelatch arm102 maintains theventilation space distance107 by supporting the lid at the first cooler location (the lid seat location104). Thespace107 allows natural ormechanical airflow11 to promote evaporation and maintain a dryinterior region120 of the cooler.

Referring toFIG. 8, a fifth alternative embodiment is provided. Theventilation apparatus38 has a first body section which is a latch arm similar to the previously discussedlatch arm102 inFIG. 7, and with the second cooler location being the spring-loaded hinge attached to theoutside face118 of the perimeter wall108 (the second cooler engageable portion of the latch arm is the end of the latch arm connected to the hinge). Thelatch arm116 has a first cooler engageable portion which is amale latch protrusion126 arranged to interoperate with a first cooler location which is a pre-formedfemale latch seat124 formed in thetop lid12. In this particular embodiment, the latch arm can be arranged on thefront perimeter wall14, or side perimeter wall's16A or16B,FIG. 5, as desired. The above fifth embodiment may or may not utilize a spring-loaded hinge.

Referring toFIG. 9, a sixth embodiment of theventilation apparatus38 is provided. As discussed above, side handles34 are usually arranged on the side walls16A or16B of the cooler or even on thefront perimeter wall14 as seen inFIG. 5. In this embodiment, theventilation apparatus38 is designed to be integrated in various forms with the side or front handle34 of the cooler10.

The side handle34 are connected to thehandle hinge130. Thehandle hinge130 is arranged between two transversely aligned handle hinge mounts132. Theventilation apparatus38 is arranged between the arms of the side handle34 on thehandle hinge130.

The first body section is divided into afirst latch segment134 which extends from thehandle hinge130 and may be radially rotated about thehandle hinge130. Thefirst latch segment134 terminates at anintermediate hinge segment136. Anintermediate hinge segment136 provides for a connection of the second half of the first body section, that being asecond latch segment138 radially rotatable about the interiorintermediate hinge segment106 and seatable over the top edge of theperimeter wall24.

Aventilation space107 is maintained between the bottom edge of thetop lid12 and thetop edge24 of the perimeter wall when thesecond latch segment138 is maintained between the lid and the edge to provide evaporation and airflow into and out of the cooler.

A seventh embodiment is provided as seen inFIG. 10. Here theventilation apparatus38 utilizes a spring-loaded shaft component maintained within theinterior region142 of thewall108. A lockingpin148 is engageable with alower shaft notch152 and anupper shaft notch151. The notches are arranged along the bottom and top portions respectively of the vertically alignedshaft140.

The vertically alignedshaft140, is positioned within theinterior shaft sleeve144, and is maintained in both a supporting position and a non-supporting position. In the supporting position, the vertically alignedshaft140 is extended upwards to maintain thelid12 at its' open position to maintain theventilation space107 andairflow11.

Thelocking pin148 is transversely aligned perpendicular to the vertically alignedshaft140 and a tension spring153 provides for inwards lateral tension of thelocking pin148 to actuate against theshaft notch152. Alternatively, although not shown, a compression spring arranged on the opposite side of the tension spring may be provided to compress thelocking pin148 against theshaft140. The locking pin has a through hole, through which theshaft140 is threaded for interoperation with the locking pin.

As indicated above, the vertically alignedshaft140 is threaded through alocking pin opening149. When disengaged from theupper shaft notch151, the vertically compressedspring shaft146 forces theshaft140 upwards. Once released, the lockingpin148 is pulled back towards the interior portion of the perimeter wall, asserting a transverse force against the outer face of theshaft140.

When thelocking pin148 engages thelower shaft notch152, it locks the shaft in place, and thetop lid12 can be supported by the vertically alignedshaft140 to maintain theventilation space distance107, thus promoting ventilation airflow and evaporation.

A method of ventilating a cooler200 will now be provided as seen inFIG. 11. After use, the cooler as previously discussed, will usually have moisture maintained in some form within theinner region120,FIG. 8, of the cooler10. The user will atstep202, locate the cooler with the interior moisture on the inner region or space of the cooler.

The user will at step204 open the lid of the cooler and atstep206 arrange a ventilation apparatus between the top lid and perimeter wall. At this point, the user will close the lid atstep208 on to the ventilation apparatus. The ventilation apparatus will, atstep210 maintain a ventilation space between the lid and the wall. The ventilation space atstep212 will allow evaporation and ventilation to take place between theinterior region120 and theexterior region122 of the cooler.

Referring toFIG. 12, the step of arranging a ventilation apparatus between the top lid and the perimeter wall atstep206 further includes: holding the lid in an open position atstep214; actuating the ventilation apparatus to an engaging position atstep216, and releasing the ventilation apparatus in operation with the cooler atstep218.

Referring toFIG. 13, the step of actuating the ventilation apparatus to an engaging position atstep216 includes in the alternative, the following steps depending on the particular embodiment utilized such as the below options.

The step of actuating the ventilation apparatus to an engaging position atstep216 includes utilizing a wall mountable ventilation apparatus atstep220 and stretching the first arcuate arm and second arcuate arm to an open position atstep222, inserting the wall mounting ventilation apparatus over thetop edge24 of the cooler, and releasing the first and second arm to maintain a pitchingforce90,FIG. 3, on the inner and outer wall portions of the permanent wall atstep226.

The step of actuating the ventilation apparatus to an engaging position atstep216 may also include utilizing a wall mountable ventilation apparatus and opening the first and second arcuate arms to an open position by engaging the spring-loaded Apex hinge77 atstep228, inserting the wall mounting ventilation apparatus over thetop edge24 of the cooler atstep230, and releasing the first and second arcuate arms atstep232 which maintain a pinchingforce90 against the outer portions of the wall applied from the spring-loaded hinge77 at the apex of the arms.

Referring toFIG. 14, the step of actuating the ventilation apparatus to an engaging position atstep216 may also include utilizing a hingedprop arm40,FIG. 6, atstep234, by actuating the hinged arm about a wall aligned hinge atstep236, closing the lid onto the prop arm atstep238, to maintain the open position. The wall connected hinge is aligned either parallel with the wall or perpendicular to the wall. The hinge may also be on the lid portion, with the prop arm connected to and interoperating with the wall portion.

Referring toFIG. 15, the step of actuating the ventilation apparatus to an engaging position atstep216 may also include utilizing an integrated handle arm atstep240, which provides afirst latch segment134, (FIG. 9), interoperating with anintermediate hinge segment136, cooperating with asecond latch segment138. Thesecond latch segment138 is engageable over the top edge of the perimeter wall, in this embodiment a side wall16A, to maintain theventilation area107 between the bottom edge of the top lid and the top edge of the perimeter wall.

Still referring toFIG. 15, the step of actuating the ventilation apparatus to an engaging position atstep216 may also include utilizing a vertically aligned spring-loaded shaft atstep242, the shaft operable from a closed position to an open position, where releasing the spring-loaded shaft from the closed position moves the shaft to the open position, so the shaft can engage the lid and provide support to maintain the lid in an open position, creating theventilation space107.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. After reading the above disclosure it is likely that additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims would readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept.

Claims

We claim:

1. A method of ventilating a cooler having interior moisture, the cooler including a perimeter wall having an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion and a top edge, where the top edge has a width, the cooler also including a lid, said method comprising:

opening the lid of the cooler;

stretching first and second elastically yielding arms of a ventilation apparatus from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position defines a first gap between the first and second arms and the second position defines a second gap between the first and second arms, wherein the second gap is larger than the width of the top edge of the perimeter wall and wherein the first gap is smaller than the width of the top edge of the perimeter wall, wherein the first and second arms are non-metallic and wherein the first and second arms have a symmetrical shape;

placing the first arm adjacent to the inner wall portion of the perimeter wall and placing the second arm adjacent to the outer wall portion of the perimeter wall, wherein the top edge of the perimeter wall is between the first arm and the second arm;

releasing the first arm and the second arm to maintain a pinching force on the perimeter wall; and,

closing the lid onto the ventilation apparatus, so as to maintain a ventilation space between the lid and the perimeter wall, allowing evaporation of the interior moisture through the ventilation space.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the ventilation apparatus is tethered to the cooler.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first arm includes a first grip foot and the second arm includes a second grip foot, and wherein the first foot engages the inner wall portion of the perimeter wall and the second foot engages the outer wall portion of the perimeter wall in conjunction with maintaining the pinching force.

4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the first gap and second gap are defined by the spacing between the first grip foot and the second grip foot.

5. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the first grip foot and the second grip foot are made of a non-metallic material.

6. A method of ventilating a cooler having interior moisture, the cooler including a plurality of perimeter walls, each of which has an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion and a top edge, said method comprising:

storing a ventilation apparatus in one of the plurality of perimeter walls of the cooler, such that the ventilation apparatus is stored entirely between a first plane which includes the inner wall portion, a second plane which includes the outer wall portion and a third plane which includes the top edge;

opening a lid of said cooler;

arranging the ventilation apparatus such that at least a portion of the ventilation apparatus is between the lid and the top edge of one of the plurality of perimeter walls of the cooler; and,

closing the lid onto the ventilation apparatus, so as to maintain a ventilation space between the lid and the perimeter wall, allowing evaporation of the interior moisture through the ventilation space,

wherein the step of arranging includes:

stretching first and second elastically yielding arms of the ventilation apparatus from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position defines a first gap between the first and second arms and the second position defines a second gap between the first and second arms, wherein the second gap is larger than a width of the top edge of one of the plurality of perimeter walls and wherein the first gap is smaller than the width of one of the plurality of perimeter walls;

placing the first arm adjacent to the inner wall portion of one of the plurality of perimeter walls and placing the second arm adjacent to the outer wall portion of one of the plurality of perimeter walls, wherein the top edge of one of the plurality of perimeter walls is between the first arm and the second arm;

releasing the first arm and the second arm to maintain a pinching force on one of the plurality of perimeter walls.

7. A method of ventilating a cooler having interior moisture, the cooler including a perimeter wall having an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion and a top edge, wherein the top edge has a width and wherein a cavity is maintained at a vacuum state between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion of the perimeter wall to provide insulation, the cooler also including a lid, said method comprising:

opening the lid of the cooler;

stretching first and second elastically yielding arms of a ventilation apparatus from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position defines a first gap between the first and second arms and the second position defines a second gap between the first and second arms, wherein the second gap is larger than the width of the top edge of the perimeter wall and wherein the first gap is smaller than the width of the top edge of the perimeter wall, wherein the first and second arms have a symmetrical shape;

8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the first and second arms are non-metallic.

9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the ventilation apparatus is tethered to the cooler.

10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the first arm includes a first grip foot and the second arm includes a second grip foot, and wherein the first foot engages the inner wall portion of the perimeter wall and the second foot engages the outer wall portion of the perimeter wall in conjunction with maintaining the pinching force.

11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the first gap and second gap are defined by the spacing between the first grip foot and the second grip foot.

12. A method of ventilating a cooler having interior moisture, the cooler including a plurality of perimeter walls, each of which has an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion and a top edge, said method comprising:

storing a ventilation apparatus in one of the plurality of perimeter walls of the cooler, such that the ventilation apparatus is stored entirely between a first plane which includes the inner wall portion, a second plane which includes the outer wall portion and a third plane which includes the top edge, wherein a cavity is maintained at a vacuum state between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion of one of the perimeter walls to provide insulation;

opening a lid of said cooler;

closing the lid onto the ventilation apparatus, so as to maintain a ventilation space between the lid and the top edge of one of the perimeter walls, allowing evaporation of the interior moisture through the ventilation space, wherein the step of arranging includes: